Patrick Balester
@patrickbalester.bsky.social
Crime writer and photographer. On my blog, https://picksbypat.blogspot.com, I review books and comment on whatever catches my eye.
Reposted by Patrick Balester
Will post the link when it’s live but was very happy to be asked by @theweek.com to pick six books that explore critical women’s issues:
November 28, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Will post the link when it’s live but was very happy to be asked by @theweek.com to pick six books that explore critical women’s issues:
Reposted by Patrick Balester
That First Line…and More?
by Helen Currie Foster November 24, 2025 Writers live in trepidation that they’re failing a much-publicized writing test: a great first line. Maybe that’s not a fair burden. If I already like a writer’s work—a favorite mystery-writer, for instance–I don’t demand a…
by Helen Currie Foster November 24, 2025 Writers live in trepidation that they’re failing a much-publicized writing test: a great first line. Maybe that’s not a fair burden. If I already like a writer’s work—a favorite mystery-writer, for instance–I don’t demand a…
That First Line…and More?
by Helen Currie Foster November 24, 2025 Writers live in trepidation that they’re failing a much-publicized writing test: a great first line. Maybe that’s not a fair burden. If I already like a writer’s work—a favorite mystery-writer, for instance–I don’t demand a blockbuster first line. But I do need reassurance that I’m going to like that writer's new book as well as the last.
austinmysterywriters.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:10 AM
That First Line…and More?
by Helen Currie Foster November 24, 2025 Writers live in trepidation that they’re failing a much-publicized writing test: a great first line. Maybe that’s not a fair burden. If I already like a writer’s work—a favorite mystery-writer, for instance–I don’t demand a…
by Helen Currie Foster November 24, 2025 Writers live in trepidation that they’re failing a much-publicized writing test: a great first line. Maybe that’s not a fair burden. If I already like a writer’s work—a favorite mystery-writer, for instance–I don’t demand a…
Reposted by Patrick Balester
Don’t buy his book buy mine (or Jen Percy’s or Olivia Laing’s, both also excellent!)
John Fetterman’s memoir comes out on Tuesday, so if the phone calls don’t work you can always tell him how you feel while he’s on book tour.
November 9, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Don’t buy his book buy mine (or Jen Percy’s or Olivia Laing’s, both also excellent!)
My latest book review is on #PicksByPat. Fans of crime fiction, or anyone who dreads holiday dinners with the family, will love this story collection edited by @todgoldberg.bsky.social.
Picks By Pat: You'll Have A Great Day With Eight Very Bad Nights! share.google/TH2Tw69aWuzS...
Picks By Pat: You'll Have A Great Day With Eight Very Bad Nights! share.google/TH2Tw69aWuzS...
You'll Have A Great Day With Eight Very Bad Nights!
Mystery Book Review, Writers Born Today, Mystery Fiction, Crime Fiction,
share.google
November 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
My latest book review is on #PicksByPat. Fans of crime fiction, or anyone who dreads holiday dinners with the family, will love this story collection edited by @todgoldberg.bsky.social.
Picks By Pat: You'll Have A Great Day With Eight Very Bad Nights! share.google/TH2Tw69aWuzS...
Picks By Pat: You'll Have A Great Day With Eight Very Bad Nights! share.google/TH2Tw69aWuzS...
Reposted by Patrick Balester
Good morning, here are all my tour dates (so far) for WITHOUT CONSENT— now with a Manhattan event added!
The book is out on November 11 and all pre-order details are here: www.harpercollins.com/products/wit...
The book is out on November 11 and all pre-order details are here: www.harpercollins.com/products/wit...
October 31, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Good morning, here are all my tour dates (so far) for WITHOUT CONSENT— now with a Manhattan event added!
The book is out on November 11 and all pre-order details are here: www.harpercollins.com/products/wit...
The book is out on November 11 and all pre-order details are here: www.harpercollins.com/products/wit...
Reposted by Patrick Balester
Who could have so much fun talking about two of the darkest of films noirs? Well, we could.
🕵️♂️ 405 - DETOUR (1945) + THE 7TH VICTIM (1943) ft.
@meganabbott.bsky.social 🕵️♂️
This week we kicked off Noirvember with two of the most dreamlike, expressionist & nihilistic 40s B-noirs.
Listen here:
soundcloud.com/sleazoids/40...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
open.spotify.com/episode/0gHc...
@meganabbott.bsky.social 🕵️♂️
This week we kicked off Noirvember with two of the most dreamlike, expressionist & nihilistic 40s B-noirs.
Listen here:
soundcloud.com/sleazoids/40...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
open.spotify.com/episode/0gHc...
November 2, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Who could have so much fun talking about two of the darkest of films noirs? Well, we could.
Reposted by Patrick Balester
Holy crap, this is so marvelous and appreciated. Thank you, @talkscaredpod.bsky.social and @vulture.com, for these incredibly kind words about WHEN THE WOLF COMES HOME!! 😭🙏❤️🐺
And just look at these other books! What company! Whatta goddamned year it’s been—and there are still two more months to go!
And just look at these other books! What company! Whatta goddamned year it’s been—and there are still two more months to go!
October 17, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Holy crap, this is so marvelous and appreciated. Thank you, @talkscaredpod.bsky.social and @vulture.com, for these incredibly kind words about WHEN THE WOLF COMES HOME!! 😭🙏❤️🐺
And just look at these other books! What company! Whatta goddamned year it’s been—and there are still two more months to go!
And just look at these other books! What company! Whatta goddamned year it’s been—and there are still two more months to go!
Wow!
Researchers pointed a satellite dish at the sky for 3 years and monitored what unencrypted data it picked up. The results were shocking: They obtained thousands of T-Mobile users' phone calls and texts, military and law enforcement secrets, much more: www.wired.com/story/satell... 🧵👇
Satellites Are Leaking the World’s Secrets: Calls, Texts, Military and Corporate Data
With just $800 in basic equipment, researchers found a stunning variety of data—including thousands of T-Mobile users’ calls and texts and even US military communications—sent by satellites unencrypte...
www.wired.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Wow!
My book review of A Night At The Shore. A thrilling heist novel that quickly becomes a Nightmare for the narrator, a professional thief.
Picks By Pat: A NIGHT AT THE SHORE IS THE NIGHTMARE YOU WON'T STOP READING share.google/qxEICsA1sMbx...
Picks By Pat: A NIGHT AT THE SHORE IS THE NIGHTMARE YOU WON'T STOP READING share.google/qxEICsA1sMbx...
A NIGHT AT THE SHORE IS THE NIGHTMARE YOU WON'T STOP READING
Mystery Book Review, Writers Born Today, Mystery Fiction, Crime Fiction,
share.google
October 1, 2025 at 9:38 AM
My book review of A Night At The Shore. A thrilling heist novel that quickly becomes a Nightmare for the narrator, a professional thief.
Picks By Pat: A NIGHT AT THE SHORE IS THE NIGHTMARE YOU WON'T STOP READING share.google/qxEICsA1sMbx...
Picks By Pat: A NIGHT AT THE SHORE IS THE NIGHTMARE YOU WON'T STOP READING share.google/qxEICsA1sMbx...
Reposted by Patrick Balester
The news is terrible but recording my audiobook is pretty good
August 25, 2025 at 8:25 PM
The news is terrible but recording my audiobook is pretty good
Reposted by Patrick Balester
Congratulations to everyone! @mysterywriters.bsky.social crimereads.com/mwa-announce...
MWA Announces the 2025 Edgar Awards Winners
The Mystery Writers of America has announced the winners of the 2025 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, honoring the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction and television published or produced in 2024. Congratu…
crimereads.com
May 2, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Congratulations to everyone! @mysterywriters.bsky.social crimereads.com/mwa-announce...
Reposted by Patrick Balester
Exciting News!!! MWA will be holding “extra” signings at our table at Bouchercon this year. Our tables will be in the Acadia Ballroom on the 3rd Floor of the Marriott New Orleans Hotel. Here is the link to the daily schedules: mysterywriters.org/mwa-at-bouch... #bouchercon2025
MWA at Bouchercon 2025 - Mystery Writers of America
Exciting News!!! MWA will be holding “extra” signings at our table at Bouchercon this year. This is an extra opportunity for fans to meet...
mysterywriters.org
August 14, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Exciting News!!! MWA will be holding “extra” signings at our table at Bouchercon this year. Our tables will be in the Acadia Ballroom on the 3rd Floor of the Marriott New Orleans Hotel. Here is the link to the daily schedules: mysterywriters.org/mwa-at-bouch... #bouchercon2025
My latest book review features The Get Off by Christa Faust. A rip roaring crime story that I think you'll enjoy.
Picks By Pat: Get Off! (Your Butt and Buy This Book) share.google/OV31b2ZPgyHF...
Picks By Pat: Get Off! (Your Butt and Buy This Book) share.google/OV31b2ZPgyHF...
Get Off! (Your Butt and Buy This Book)
Mystery Book Review, Writers Born Today, Mystery Fiction, Crime Fiction,
share.google
July 4, 2025 at 6:30 AM
My latest book review features The Get Off by Christa Faust. A rip roaring crime story that I think you'll enjoy.
Picks By Pat: Get Off! (Your Butt and Buy This Book) share.google/OV31b2ZPgyHF...
Picks By Pat: Get Off! (Your Butt and Buy This Book) share.google/OV31b2ZPgyHF...
Reposted by Patrick Balester
Congratulations to Craig Faustus Buck, author of the Brash book GO DOWN HARD, on his short story “Home Game" being chosen for the anthology "The Best Mystery Stories of
the Year 2025," edited by John Grisham, and due out on September 23
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/...
the Year 2025," edited by John Grisham, and due out on September 23
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/...
The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2025
The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2025 [Grisham, John, Penzler, Otto] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2025
www.amazon.com
March 2, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Congratulations to Craig Faustus Buck, author of the Brash book GO DOWN HARD, on his short story “Home Game" being chosen for the anthology "The Best Mystery Stories of
the Year 2025," edited by John Grisham, and due out on September 23
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/...
the Year 2025," edited by John Grisham, and due out on September 23
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/...
Reposted by Patrick Balester
It’d be cool if the ppl who kicked & screamed about the phony Biden bribery story (where the FBI informant went to prison for lying) at least pretended to care about Trump blatantly selling access.
(cc: @MarshaBlackburn @SenatorHagerty @RepTimBurchett)
newrepublic.com/post/194420/...
(cc: @MarshaBlackburn @SenatorHagerty @RepTimBurchett)
newrepublic.com/post/194420/...
April 27, 2025 at 4:03 AM
It’d be cool if the ppl who kicked & screamed about the phony Biden bribery story (where the FBI informant went to prison for lying) at least pretended to care about Trump blatantly selling access.
(cc: @MarshaBlackburn @SenatorHagerty @RepTimBurchett)
newrepublic.com/post/194420/...
(cc: @MarshaBlackburn @SenatorHagerty @RepTimBurchett)
newrepublic.com/post/194420/...
Reposted by Patrick Balester
Ben Shapiro: Socialism for me, but not for thee.
April 26, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Ben Shapiro: Socialism for me, but not for thee.
Reposted by Patrick Balester
April 26, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Reposted by Patrick Balester
This would be funny if it wasn't so deadly dangerous…
From a list of scientific research projects that Senator Ted Cruz of Texas wants stopped because they're "woke," "radical," and "neo-Marxist," Propublica reports:
From a list of scientific research projects that Senator Ted Cruz of Texas wants stopped because they're "woke," "radical," and "neo-Marxist," Propublica reports:
March 4, 2025 at 1:01 AM
This would be funny if it wasn't so deadly dangerous…
From a list of scientific research projects that Senator Ted Cruz of Texas wants stopped because they're "woke," "radical," and "neo-Marxist," Propublica reports:
From a list of scientific research projects that Senator Ted Cruz of Texas wants stopped because they're "woke," "radical," and "neo-Marxist," Propublica reports:
Reposted by Patrick Balester
I can't wait to read my friend @chrisfarnsworth.bsky.social 's take on Robert B. Parker's JESSE STONE. I'm sure it will be in the same league as Parker himself...and Reed Farrell Coleman continuations.
January 28, 2025 at 12:20 AM
I can't wait to read my friend @chrisfarnsworth.bsky.social 's take on Robert B. Parker's JESSE STONE. I'm sure it will be in the same league as Parker himself...and Reed Farrell Coleman continuations.
Reposted by Patrick Balester
This is a core belief. Every time I’ve been paid for my writing I make sure to take some of the money and get something I want. A burrito. A shirt. Whatever.
January 26, 2025 at 2:24 AM
This is a core belief. Every time I’ve been paid for my writing I make sure to take some of the money and get something I want. A burrito. A shirt. Whatever.
Folks, don't try this at home
..or anywhere else! 😆
..or anywhere else! 😆
Questionnaire here: iasassessment.com/session/regi...
ProjectRegistrationAC
iasassessment.com
December 16, 2024 at 5:25 PM
Folks, don't try this at home
..or anywhere else! 😆
..or anywhere else! 😆
Reposted by Patrick Balester
SOUVENIR is a stand-alone novel, not part of the Billy Boyle WW2 mystery series. An American soldier’s life, from the Depression to WWII and the turbulent 1960s, is told through memory—and the unraveling of a dangerous secret.
November 15, 2024 at 12:40 PM
SOUVENIR is a stand-alone novel, not part of the Billy Boyle WW2 mystery series. An American soldier’s life, from the Depression to WWII and the turbulent 1960s, is told through memory—and the unraveling of a dangerous secret.
Reposted by Patrick Balester
NEW BOOK COMING!
A tale of suburban women, money, desperation and, as always, bad behavior.
Stealth inspiration: GOODFELLAS
On sale June 24, 2025
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/611567...
A tale of suburban women, money, desperation and, as always, bad behavior.
Stealth inspiration: GOODFELLAS
On sale June 24, 2025
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/611567...
November 15, 2024 at 4:44 PM
NEW BOOK COMING!
A tale of suburban women, money, desperation and, as always, bad behavior.
Stealth inspiration: GOODFELLAS
On sale June 24, 2025
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/611567...
A tale of suburban women, money, desperation and, as always, bad behavior.
Stealth inspiration: GOODFELLAS
On sale June 24, 2025
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/611567...
Reposted by Patrick Balester
I did a thing for work and I have to be honest here. My toxic trait is going to be reminding Trump voters this is what they wanted.
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
Opinion: You surprised Trump wants RFK Jr. in charge of health? Republicans voted for it.
The president-elect has tapped RFK Jr. to lead HHS. I just want to remind Republicans and Trump voters that this is what they voted for.
www.usatoday.com
November 14, 2024 at 10:40 PM
I did a thing for work and I have to be honest here. My toxic trait is going to be reminding Trump voters this is what they wanted.
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
Reposted by Patrick Balester
This is the first time the words “Tulsi Gabbard” and “intelligence” have ever appeared in the same sentence.
November 13, 2024 at 9:56 PM
This is the first time the words “Tulsi Gabbard” and “intelligence” have ever appeared in the same sentence.